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“I do indeed. Trust me, when you next see her, she’ll be wearing my ring and planning our wedding.”
“With most guys, I’d suggest we go get a beer to give you time to think, but I’ve known you too long and too well to bet against you. I fear poor Miss Adams is about to become Mrs. Hampton, whether she initially likes the idea or not.”
John laughed. “You got that right.”
They pulled into the parking lot of Equinox. It was a small commercial building, and nothing about it spoke of its reputation as the finest jewelry store in Arizona, if not the entire Southwest. They were greeted at the door by the proprietor.
“Marshal Hampton?”
“John, please, and this is Mac, who is going to be my best man.”
“I am?” Mac asked.
“You are,” John said with finality.
Mac shook his head, chuckling. “Like I said, the future Mrs. Hampton has no idea what she’s gotten herself into.”
They looked at several things the jeweler had to show them. Finally, John just asked him to bring the ring he had spoken of when they had talked earlier.
“I didn’t want to lead with it as it’s a bit unusual, quite striking, and well worth the asking price.”
The jeweler pulled the ring from under the showcase, and both Mac and John were speechless. It was truly exquisite—a large chocolate center stone, the exact color of Mandy’s eyes, surrounded by lighter cognac and white diamonds in a platinum channel setting.
“I can have it reset in yellow gold if you prefer, but I thought the contrast really brought out the color of the stones.”
“It’s perfect,” John breathed. He looked at Mac, who merely nodded his agreement. “She wears a size six.”
The jeweler smiled. “Then this must be her ring. It’s already the correct size.”
John paid for the ring and tucked it into the front pocket of his jeans.
“How the hell do you know her ring size?” Mac asked as they got back in his SUV.
“Easy. I took one of the rings she likes to wear, traced it onto a piece of paper, then measured it.”
“No offense, and it’s none of my business, but did you have to clean out your entire retirement account to pay for that thing?”
“No,” John laughed. “When my folks passed, they left me some money. I was already working for the marshals, so I decided to put it away for something special. When I met Mandy, I knew it was for her ring.”
“You knew that fast?” Mac asked incredulously.
“I knew before we finished the first piece of tres leches cake. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted.”
“Bad temper and willful streak included?” his friend teased.
“She wouldn’t be my Mandy without them, and it’s Mandy I mean to take to wife.”
“Well, buddy, I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks, Mac. I hope you find your Mandy someday. The only thing more satisfying than feeling her surrender to you over your knee is having her do it when you’re making love to her.”
“Maybe someday, we’ll be able to compare notes.”
“I hope so. I hope your girl makes you half as crazy and happy as mine makes me.”
Pulling up in front of Mandy’s townhome, John got out and waved to Mac as he drove off. He looked at his truck and thought about reinstalling the starter relay but decided against it. Squaring his shoulders, he walked to Mandy’s front door and knocked.
Chapter
